Gallery of USAF Weapons

摘要

B-1 Lancer Brief: Long-range bomber capable of penetrating enemy defenses and delivering the largest weapon load of any aircraft in the inventory. The B-1 A was initially proposed as replacement for the B-52, and four prototypes were developed and tested before program cancellation in 1977. The program was revived in 1981 as B-1B. The vastly upgraded aircraft added 74,000 Ib of usable payload, improved radar, and reduced radar cross section, but cut maximum speed to Mach 1.2. The B-1 B first saw combat in Iraq during Desert Fox in December 1998. Its three internal weapons bays accommodate a substantial payload of weapons, including a mix of different weapons in each bay. Lancer production totaled 100 aircraft. The bomber's blended wing/ body configuration, variable-geometry design, and turbofan engines provide long range and loiter time. The B-1B has been upgraded with GPS, smart weapons, and mission systems. Offensive avionics include SAR for tracking, targeting, and engaging moving vehicles and terrain following. GPS-aided INS lets aircrews autonomously navigate without ground-based navigation aids and precisely engage targets. Sniper pod was added in 2008. The ongoing integrated battle station modifications is the most comprehensive refresh in the bomber's history. The three-part upgrade includes the Vertical Situation Display (VSD), which adds a digital cockpit, Fully Integrated Data Link (FIDL) to enhance targeting, command and control, and Central Integrated Test System (CITS), which gives aircrew real-time aircraft diagnostics and simplifies maintenance and troubleshooting. FIDL includes Link 16 and Joint Range Extension data link, enabling permanent secure LOS/BLOS/C2. It also adds Ethernet to enable rapid airborne retargeting. Ongoing life extension efforts will stretch service life to 2040. Combat-coded B-1 s transferred from ACC to AFGSC, aligning with B-2 and B-52 bomber fleets in 2015.